Lesson 3: Don't sweat equity.

Selling out.

Equity is silly words with paper. Until the company sells or goes public, than it’s not so silly. But in those rare cases previously mentioned, you’re lucky if you’re one of the lucky few that can hold on. Equity can be a slippery proposition to keep. It vests, it dilutes, and it’s expensive to take ownership of. My best advice is tread cautiously. Think about it like a 401K that you can actually participate in making valuable, or in other words, place a bet in someone or something and help it grow. How not to look at it – a get quick rich thing, a way to off-set getting paid less, a sure-fire payday, a reason to stay with a company. Overall the best way to look at equity is “extra icing”. But if you do not love your job and/or being compensated enough to live – let it go.